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CUPID AND PSYCHE 



By 

JOHN JAY CHAPMAN 



^ 



NEW YORK 

LAURENCE J. GOMME 

I916 




CUPID AND PSYCHE 



BOOKS BY JOHN JAY CHAPMAN 

Emerson and Other Essays $i . 25 

Causes and Consequences 1.25 

Practical Agitation 1.25 

Learning and Other Essays i . 25 

William Lloyd Garrison i . 25 

Memories and Milestones 1.25 

Notes on Religion 75 

Greek Genius and Other Essays . . . . i . 75 

The Maid's Forgiveness (a play) 75 

A Sausage from Bologna (a play) 75 

The Treason and Death of Benedict Arnold, 
a play for Greek Theatre i • 00 

Neptune's Isle and Other Plays for Children . i .00 

Homeric Scenes 60 

Four Plays for Children i-oo 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 



By 

JOHN JAY CHAPMAN 



« 



NEW YORK 

LAURENCE J. GOMME 

I916 



<^ 






Copyright by 
JOHN JAY CHAPMAN 



Published June, 1916 



All dramatic and public reading rights in these plays are fully protected by 
copyright in the United States and Great Britain. Application to perform 
must be made to the Author in care of Laurence J. Gomme, 2 East 29th 
Street, New York. 

ant 



Asib9r 



The play was first perfofined at the fiftieth an- 
niversary of the Yale Art School, June 16-19, 1916, 
under the supervision of Mr. William Sergeant 
Kendall, Dean of the Art School, and the manage- 
ment of Mr. J. R. Crawford. 

Music by Horatio Parker. 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Cupid and Psyche i 

Lafayette 55 

Romulus and Remus 69 



ERRATUM 

IN THE CAST 

Cupid — Master Reggie Sheffield 

should read 
Cupid — Master Kingdon Brown 



CAST 

Venus — Miss S. Whitney. 
Cupid — Master Reggie Sheffield. 
Psyche — Miss E. Kendall. 
King Agathon — Mr. Loomis Havemeyer. 
Queen Arete — Miss Walker. 
Mero,e — Miss E. Carmalt. 
Aeon — Mr. J. Downes. 
Panthia — Mrs. Leonard Daggett. 
Podagra — Mr. J. Peltz. 
FoTis — Mrs. C. Morris. 
Zephyr — Miss G. Linnell. 
Calchas— Mr. T. G. Wright. 
Glow-worm — Mr. L. W. Dodd. 
Pan — Mr. E. E. Paramore, Jr. 
Jupiter — Mr. F. Markoe. 
Juno— Mrs. E. B. Reed. 
Minerva— Mrs. H. S. Canby.' 
Mercury — Mr. H. V^reeland. 
Ceres— Mrs. M. Miller. 
Hymen — Mrs. Minott Osborn. 
Nymphs — Miss Sanderson, Miss Parker, Miss Sar- 
gent, Miss Williams, Miss Hotchkiss. 
Priestess — Mrs. T. G. Wright. 

ATTENDANTS, PAGES, SATYRS, etc. 
The Court of Lorenzo the Magnificent, by 
Ladies and Gentlemen of New Haven. 

STAFF FOR THE PRODUCTION 

Chairman — Mr. F. J. Walls. 

Color — Miss Christine Herter. 

Mistress of the Wardrobe— Miss G. Linnell. 

Properties — The Yale Art School. 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 



DRAMATIS PERSONiE 

Venus. 

Cupid. 

Psyche. 

King Agathon, father to Meroe, Panthia and 

Psyche. 
Queen Arete, their mother. 
Aeon, a decrepit old noble. 
Merge, wife of Aeon. 
Podagra, a dissipated )'oung noble. 
Panthia, wife of Podagra. 
FoTis, maid servant of Venus. 
Zephyr, maid servant in Cupid's Palace. 
Calchas, a soothsayer. 

Glow-worm, the Hunchback, watchman in 
King Aeon's Palace. 

GOD, goddesses, NYMPHS, etc. 

Scene : Carta. 

The costumes and decorations should be Pompeian. 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

ACT I 

Scene I. Venus at her toilet. 

Venus. 

Give me the stick of amber and the tongs. 
Fotis my yellow hair has lost its sheen. 
Quick, the Arabian drops! The ruby's light 
Dies on the rosy petal of my lip. 
I'm old my Fotis, and the clouded pearls 
Hang in my ears like bells beneath the surge 
That tell the rocks of time. O for that day 
When o'er the sea-salt billows' dancing spray 
I sped to Cnidus, in my pearly wain. 
With all of Nereus' daughters in my tram, 
And troops of Tritons furrowing the main. 
Old Neptune with his azure-colored beard 
Guided the joyous chorus as he steered. 
And ocean's lackeys swam upon the swell; 
One softly sounding his melodious shell, 
One with a floating silken canopy 
Protects my infant freshness from the sky, 
And one with dripping seaweed on his breast 
Holding a mirror in his bronzen fist. 
And leaping like a dolphin through the press. 
Shews new-born deity her loveliness. 

[Fotis hands a mirror. 

3 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Venus. 

Love-worn and cavernous! 

FOTIS. 

Your brilliancy 
Glows as before, immortal. 'Tis not that. 

[FoTiS kneels and places her hands on 
Venus' knees, looking at her intently. 
Madam, the liquid dusk beneath the eye 
Of some dark beauty shades your firmament. 
You're jealous, Madam. 

Venus. 

Where is my boy? 
FOTIS. 

Asleep : 
His golden head is pillowed on the arm 
That guards his precious bow; and all the shafts 
Are spilled about the crib. I fear to tread 
The threshold of the purple nursery. 

Venus. 

Fetch him this instant; I have work for him. 

FoTis. 

Fd liefer fetch a nettle! 

[Goes to the wing and calls: 

Master Cupid, Sir, Lord Cupid! 

[Cupid appears at the other door with the 

sword of Mars in both hands and his 

bow and quiver slung on his back. 

Cupid. 

Fotis, you rat-trap, I was dreaming of you. The 

hunchback loves thee! 

Fotis. 

Ah, indeed! who told you that? 
4 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Cupid. 

Diophanes, the Chaldean, read it to me out of his 
book of magic. Besides, I saw him kiss thee in 
the scaldatorium 

FoTis. 

Scaldatorium yourself, Master Cupid! 

Cupid. [Recites.] 

Cupid's coming, — maids, beware! 
Fold your samplers, smooth your hair. 
Peep in the glass, and in your bosom 
Set a twig of apple-blossom. 
Hark, his step is on the stair! 
See his flame is in the air! 
Cupid's coming. 

Venus. 

Very charming, you pink rascal! My rosy chub- 
face ! Throw down that sword and kiss me. Your 
eyes are dreaming still, — Kitten! 

Cupid. 

Kittens have claw^s 

[To FoTis. 
Get me a cream-puff on a plantain leaf, for break- 
fast; and rose-petals with the dew on them. Shake 
them not, you cattermole! Bring them standing. 

Exit FoTis 
Venus. 
Ah, angel, embrace me. 

Cupid. 

Let me finish first — One word more for young 
ladies. 

[Recites. 
Cupid shot a bolt and fled 
Ere the maid could turn her head 
5 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Or her swimming eyes could see 
What had done her injury. 

(Maids, to you, to you!) 
While she knew not that she bled 
Her dainty kerchief streaked with red 

Showed his aim was true. 



Venus. 

While love lives all is left us. Throw your young 
arms round Mother's neck — [he embraces her] My 
fiery-headed wonder. [Screams.] Ah, Mars! He's 
pricked me! Off, you heartless bee! To sting 
Mamma ! 



Cupid. 

In Venus' blood are Cupid's arrows dipt 
And from her eyes the dewy poison dript. 

Venus. 

My golden joy! Come, wilt thou serve me — wilt 

thou errand me? 

Cupid. 
Perhaps 



Venus. 

Wilt thou plant a shaft in one cold virgin's breast 
for me? 

Cupid. 
Perhaps 



Venus. 

Her name Is Psyche, and her mind a state 
Rebellious to my rule, — she will not wed. 
6 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

In loveliness she is mine enemy; 

And, in the growing godhead of her scorn 

For love's religion, she endangers mine. 

"A Virgin Venus! Psyche, the new Saint!" 

The people cry; and build her painted shrines 

And all Ionia flocks to the new rites 

And sets her image in its atria. 

My statues are defaced, my cushioned seats 

Are trampled with the rabble's miry feet, 

They call me — horrid names. 



Cupid. [Mocking.] 
'Tis very sad. 



Venus. 

I, the great mother of the Universe, 
To be thus flouted for a chilly maid 
Cold as a moonbeam ! 

CUPTH. 

Ay, 'tis sau. Mother — It would mean, — it ?niffht 
mean, — the end of the earth. 

[He takes a golden apple from a table and 
hands it to her. 
Venus. 
What's that? 

Cupid. 

The apple Paris gave you on Mount Ida. 

Venus. 

Wilt thou then destroy her? 

Cupid. 

Juno might help 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Venus. 

Take this arrow, sir, 

The sharpest in love's quiver. Drive it home 

Into her icy bosom. Let her pant 

With love for some vile monster of the field, 

A half-thing centaur, or some child of Pan 

With goat's legs, — and a black shaggy beard 

Like bushes on Parnassus. 



Cupid. 

Mother, you have a happy disposition, 

You love this girl. 



Venus. 

Apollo's oracle 
Has promised me his aid. 



Cupid. 

So have not I ! Yet, mother mine. 

More things occur by hap than by design. 

[Kisses her on the forehead. 
Enter FoTiS 



FoTis. 

Your lordship's breakfast. 



Cupid. 

Minx! Set it down. 

[FoTis shoivs a disposition not to approach 
Cupid too closely. She sets a small tray 
of fruit and floivers on a little trian- 
gular table. Cupid sitSj rests his quiver 
on his chair s edge. 
8 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Get me my turquoise cup, the robin's egg, 
And fill it with nectar. 

[^Threatens FoTis with an arrow which he 
ff rasps by the middle in his closed fist. 
O you jades, you jades! 

[Venus looks at him with doting adora- 
tion. 

Exit FoTis 



CURTAIN 



ACT I 

Scene II. A remote valley amid mountain tops. 
In the left centre towards the back, a tomb. 
Enter a funeral procession bearing torches. 
King Agathon, Queen Arete, Psyche, 
Aeon and Merge, Podagra and Panthia, 
Calchas, the soothsayer, other lords and at- 
tendants. The time is sunset. 

King. 

My lords, to tell the business of our state 

My voice scarce breaks its way. 

[To an attendant 
Stand by the Queen! 
Our j^oungest daughter, Psyche, from her birth 
Walked in the half-light of some influence 
That shook our realm with new divinity. 
Yea, from afar came pilgrims to her shrine 
While she, a sweet and quiet child, grew up — 
That all who saw her loved her for herself; 
I most, — who now expose her to the sky. 
For now, — a mystery : — Her sisters twain 
Were early matched in royal marriages. 
But she rejected Hymen. In her band 
Of worshippers were lovers not a few. 
But she rebuked them, glancing up to heaven 
In seeming dedication to some god. 
Feared by this portent, to the oracle 
I sent the deepest wizard of my realm; 
Who from Apollo's lip took down the doom. 

lO 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Calchas, by your allegiance to the god, 

And by the trembling horrors of the night, 

I charge thee speak the truth. 

Calchas. 

It is a message from the god to thee 
Which from my waxen tablet I will read. 

[Rends. 
Thus commands the God of Day 
Strive not: question not: obey. 

Let a funeral be dressed. 
Be all the pomp of Death expressed. 
In the distant mountain shade 
Where the crags of amethyst 
Rear their purple palisade 
O'er the dreamy river-mist; 
Let the smoky torches stand 
Where the mystic child is laid. 
For the bridegroom is at hand, 
And a snake doth claim the maid. 
Leave her on the mountain side, 
Psyche is the serpent's bride. 

Genius of all space and time. 
He doth creep and fly and climb 
With his claws and with his wings; 
In the ether, in the slime, 
In the oak and in the willow. 
Coiling by the peasant's pillow. 
Sleeping in the heart of kings. 
Zeus himself hath known the pang 
And the poison in his fang; 
And the Stygian billows shrink 
When they feel him on the brink: 
Livid, brutish and sublime, 
He the holy maid hath spied. 
Psyche is the serpent's bride. 
II 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Thus commands the God of Day 
Strive not: question not: obey. 

King. 

Sayst thou a dragon must possess my child? 
Lives not some kinder meaning in the doom? 
The gods are jugglers, and their blest intent 
Is oft expressed in seeming cruelty. 

Calchas. 

Not here, not here, my lord ! The Fane of Hymen, 

Which for three years with ivy was o'ergrown, 

Hath burst its portal ope, and Venus' doves, 

That late were sickly, coo vociferously, 

And preen themselves at cockcrow. All is well. 

King. 

Daughters, what say ye? Meroe, speak thou. 

Merge. 

Good sir, I ever hold the married life 

Is woman's duty. When my Aeon sued 

I, at your bidding, seized him as a man. 

He is not young, but good ; I sought no saint 

Nor waited for a god. 

Aeon. [Kissinff his hand to her gallantly.~\ 
Thank you, my love. 

Merge. 

This peevish child 
Has drawn some ambient serpent from the sky 
Through her nun's watching. 

ITo Psyche. 
Sister, see you now. 

How often have I warned j'ou to be kind! 
When Lycidas would strum upon his lute 
Not she! When Phaedo brought his hunting- 
dogs — 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Tears in his eyes to get a word from her, — 

Not Psyche! With a glance of reverence 

She swept him from her path. 

What can we do? 

A black miasma hangs o'er every land 

When maidens will not wed. Had mother, now 

King. 

Enough, enough. Thy mind is personal 
And hurts my sorrow. Panthia, speak thou. 
Thou art a sorceress and should'st be wise. 

Panthia. 

My answer is my husband. Lo, the man! 

Ill, crabbed, ugly, walking with a cane 

Whose knob of gold proclaims his excellence. 

Crowned with a Lydian title, old as Thebes, 

And crusted with heroic ancestry 

Till scarce you see his eyes. A husband, sir, 

My husband is my answer. 

Podagra. 

Bravo, Panthia! 
[He taps his left palm with the closed 
fingers of his right hand.] 
Faith, she's a Trojan mouser! 

Panthia. 

Had this patch 
Of seeming innocence with elfin eye 
Veiled like an insect's, purblind as a moth 
That flits in twilight musings, owned a heart, 
She soon had found a mate. Now flutters she 
'Twixt earth and heaven in a star-fed dream, 
And draws a qualm on us. The god is right. 
And right religion is a sterling good. 
And must be practiced. 

13 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

King. 

Mother, speak thou next. 
Queen. 

I cannot speak. A pallor's over me. 
The child subdues me. If her spirit's reach 
Hath touched Olympus, Zeus will draw her up. 

King. 

Psyche, speak thou. 

Psyche. 

It is Apollo's voice and I do trust it. 

King. 

O blessed Psyche! Faith that breaks the hearts 
Of them that have it not! I do thy will 
And not the oracle's. I, thy acolyte, — 
Follow thy pretty foot-prints up the rock. 
To thine hymeneal tomb. 

[To the attendant. 
Let torches flame 
And be a dirge low-chanted through the grove. 

[Music. Psyche takes a fond adieu of each 
of he?- family in tiun, the sisters 
treating he?' somewhat distantly. She 
ascends the tomb.] 

Dirge. 
On the tomb must Psyche lie, 

Raised upon a living stone. 
Brave the blackness of the sky, 

Meet the might of Fate alone. 

On her gently-heaving breast 
Closed her marble hands must lie ; 

Now her spirit is at rest. 
Psyche ever sought the sky. 

Zephyrs, wandering through the night, 
With your tender finger-tips 
14 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Touch the eyes that burn so bright, 
Kiss the closed and silent lips. 



Lead the creeping clouds aside 
Till the star-lit deeps appear; 

They shall shine upon the bride 
Through the azure atmosphere. 

Hallowed radiance shall fall 

On the virgin's bier and pall 
When the spangled beams above her 
Show her the appointed lover — 
Draw the blessed pair on high, 

Psyche ever sought the sky. 
[The dirge turns to a dead march. Exit in 
sad procession all but Psyche. Silence. 
Enter Cupid 

Cupid. 

A long ride on a tired rainbow to a proud beauty's 
funeral. This should be the spot. Cypresses here, 
roses there. And yonder the small shrine of some 
great deity. [Approaching a niche.] Venus Victrix. 
Ah, ah! "Venus Victorious." That has often 
meant the hair-brush to me. Safe! She's not here. 
But I will offer a wreath and say a prayer to her 
Divinity. 

[Hangs a wreath against the fane. Kneels. 
Mother, hear my prayer, I say, 
Cupid bows him to thy sway: 
Cupid kneels in blessed hour, 
Lauds thy power; 
Lifts his little hands to say 

Keep away! 
Darling mother, stay away! 
[Looks about; tiptoes about, sees the tomb. 
15 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Cupid. 

Here is some ancient sculptured sepulchre 
On which the artist graved a nymph asleep 
In breathing marble. Genius throws its heart 
On rich men's coffins. In this burial grove 
Great heiresses erect their monuments, 
And my fierce virgin is exposed here, 
Living among the dead. 

[Takes an arrow from his quiver and fits it 
to the bow. 
I'll drive a shaft. 
If I can find a maid to merit it. 
These cruel monsters must not have their will. 

[He starts. 
What wind could lift that marble drapery? 
And, hist! the hand doth move. 'Tis she, my 

quarry ! — 
Flash! and my arrow shivers through her soul, 
My toes through the tree tops. 

[Observes her more closely. 
What an earnest brow, 
Steep and yet dulcet, — a dark symphony. 
This is no vixen, but a shepherdess 
That guards a flock of dreams. 

Whom should she love? 
Some giddy lad — like me — some trifling Jack, 
Or cart-boy. 
Nay, I'll hide myself 

Lest she should wake. I'll walk invisible 
And gloat upon the magic of her sleep. 
Ah, could I step within that spirit's beam, 
Become a daring figure in her dream, 
I'd lay my bow aside for centuries. 
To sit against her couch. 

[Lays down his bow and sits by the tomb. 
Recites. 
i6 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Psyche slept within the cell 
Of a deep enchanted well, 
Where the stars came peeping; 

Cupid, at the brink, 

Stopped to take a drink 
And sees her sleeping. 

Down he dived and deep he sank 
Past the dripping mosses dank 
Where the stars came peeping; 

Kissed her chestnut hair, 

Vanished through the air 
And left her sleeping. 

Psyche. 

A sound of wings! The serpent steers his flights 

Across Orion's belt. O starry field 

Where stand the ancient sentinels of night, 

Send me some shield ; 

Protect a virgin in her helpless plight 

Who knows not how to strive nor how to yield, 

Give her some armor bright, 

Some key to love's o'er-mastering mystery; 

Or kill me quite 
And tomb me in the arms of stainless death. 

Cupid. [To Psyche.] 

He that approaches is invisible. 

Psyche. [Sitting up.] 
Where? 

Cupid. 

In the dim waste and ocean of the sky 

Swims Cupid. Yet he is an earth-born wight. 

Psyche. 
Where? 

17 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Cupid. 

In the target of thy blazing ej^e, 
Yet blank as space ere Chaos shuffled in 
To thy perceiving. 

Psyche. 

Will he harm me, then? 

Cupid. 

Ay, as the sun the earliest violet, 

With warmth invisible. 

Psyche. 

O hidden love, 
Psyche hath known thee ever. 

Cupid. 

By mine eyes 
Which mother Venus scarfs to keep me young, 
I am thy love, the dragon of thy dream, 
Sent by the gods to waft thee to a home 
Where walls of agate studded o'er with gems 
Reflect the dyes of Persian needlework; 
And crystals gleam on slabs of porphyry. 
And winds in livery do the housewifery, 
And columns keep a watch o'er leafy lawns. 
Where sulky breezes in the winking dusk 
Tiptoe across Aeolian instruments 
Melodiously attuned. Their lord am I, 
Who in the virgin palace of thy mind 
Reigned ever, Psyche. Leave thy chrysalis 
And flutter in the kingdom of the trees. 
I am thy husband. 

Psyche. 

Shall I not see him? 

i8 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Cupid. 

That would ruin us. 

A random wanton boy, condemned to live 

At random and a wanton, would be all 

Thine eye could fasten on, a ruddy boy 

Such as the sweating hay-field shows in June, 

A hoyden romper. 

[He kneels before Psyche^ who has de- 
scended from the tomb during his speech. 
She stares, extends her hands and 
touches both sides of his bushy head with 
her finger-tips. 

Psyche. 

But thou art young! 

Cupid. 

Kneeling, of course, Minerva! I am shod. 

With wings like Mercury. 

Psyche. 

Thy crisped head 
Is warm and prickly. 

[Rises. 

Cupid. 

'Tis a chestnut-burr, 
And I a spreading tree to shade thy life. 

Psyche. 

Thou art some monarch, then, but in disguise? 

Cupid. 

Disguise, dear love, is Cupid's uniform, 

His monarchy is Life. 

Psyche. 

May I not see thee ever? Not at eve, 
When lovers walk in shadow? Not at dawn, 
When the vermilion ray of Phoebus dyes 
19 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

The sleeping lover's cheek? Must I forego 
The very eye of life, not see my love? 

Cupid. 

'Tis the hard law; for once you eyed my shape 
Our bliss would vanish. I should flee away: 
One look w^ould be thy last. 

Psyche. 

I take thee, then, 
Unseen, my Bridegroom. 

Cupid. 

'Tis a name 

That suits me well. Come, sylvan trumpeters, 

Assemble every denizen of the glade. 
Here about the empty tomb 
Let fays and spirits promptly come; 
Flocking elves and naiads dancing 
Interlaced with satyrs prancing, 
Weave a merry chorusing. 
Cupid and Psyche in the ring 
With jocund elbow and with reel 
Shall play the hub to Hymen's wheel. 
Hymen, Hymen, come! 

Ente7' Hymen, followed by Pan, Ceres and a 
troop of nyjnphs and satyrs. 

Psyche. 

Apollo guide us, here be goatish shapes! 

Cupid. 

The woodland minstrelsy with trembling pipe 
Hymns our betrothal. Come, Hymen, to j^our task ! 
{Procession, dance and tableau. The Betrothal.'] 



20 



ACT II 

Scene I. A room in the Kings Palace. A table 
with wine cups, jars, flowers, etc. It is early 
morning, and the disorder of flowers, ivreaths, 
and wine-jars shows that the night has been 
spent in a classic drinking bout. 

Aeon and Podagra. 

SONG 

The scattered rose leaves He about, 

The yellow tapers fade and die. 
Wine boy! the cask of night is out,— 

And morning's in the sky. 
All night the cups their course have run- 
Bring me a jar to greet the sun: 
Bring wine! 

With silver flutes in every key 
Musicians warble, pipe and play ; 

The thrush from out the hawthorn tree, 
The sparrow from the spray; 

With mingling tunes and magic words — 

Bring me a jar to greet the birds: 
Bring wine! 

Podagra. , 

Come, now, dear Aeon, shall we go sleep, or shall 
we drive sorrow about the garden, with roses 
crowned? It has taken all these jugs of Chian to 
keep me listening to your thieves' tales of Troy 
divine. 

21 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Aeon. 

We are nearing the end of the good wine. What 

shall we do then ? 

Podagra. 

Buy more. There's the King's treasure. 

Aeon. 

We're nearing the bottom of the King's treasure- 
chest. 

Podagra. 

What! 

Aeon. 

All the gold is gone. Only silver of Antioch ! We 

shall have very few more carouses, brother-in-law. 

Podagra. 

Horrors! To think I dropped my last talent at a 
cock-fight at the festival yesterday. But we can 
always borrow. 

Podagra. 

Yes, if we could only find someone who doesn't 
know us, brother. Let me see, — Our new brother- 
in-law, Psyche's husband! 

Aeon. 

But we don't know hiruj brother. He's a mystery. 

Podagra. 

He's a rich mystery: he sends these presents. All 

these statues and gold boxes and bales of precious 

wares. 

Aeon. 

But who is he ? Where does he live ? 
22 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Podagra. 

He must live somewhere and In a great lovely place, 
and he is surely one of the princes of the earth. 
Besides, he loves us, or why should he send these 
gifts? We must find him out, and borrow money 
of him. 

Aeon. 

Your wife Panthia's a sorceress who can find out 

anything. 

Podagra. 

Not for the world! She would turn us both into 
weasels. She spends all night over her spells and 
her cookeries. Hist! I hear someone. It's Meroe. 

Aeon. 

My wife? I'll walk on the terrace. She's been 
out of temper this twelvemonth, ever since the good 
news came that Psyche was happy. 

Podagra. 

A coward, brother? 

[Podagra is going out, but is stopped by 
Meroe's speech. 
Meroe. 

Ye swilled and idle wassail-sipping fools 
Who soil the morning with the fumes of wine 
And steal a living, like old miscreants 
At cellar windows, royal pilferers 
Who do disgrace the household of a king, 
What plot ye here? 

Aeon. [^Nervously. ^ 

My love, we plotted nothing. 

Podagra. 

We spoke of Psyche and her husband-prince. 
23 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Merge. 

The serpent, mean you? 

PODRAGA. 

Ay, but he is rich. 
A prince, — this unknown husband is a prince, 
Who sends these lumps of lapislazuli, 
Amber and silk. No month but gifts arrive. 

Merge. 

To flout me. Psyche sends them. She is rich. 
Her husband is a monarch, handsome, young; 
Mine is an old, dishonest, drunken beggar. 

Aeon. 

I'll walk awhile on the terrace. I plotted nothing, 

my love. 

[She stops Aegn with a gesture, and 
speaks to Pgdagra. 
Merge. 

Thee will I talk with : thou hast hit my thought. 
The presents come at night, and are thrown in 
Seemingly by the wind. Behind this wind 
Lies magic. 

Podagra. 

Then let Panthia cope with it. 

Merge. 

She does: for now within her charms she holds 

The hunchback. Glow-worm, watchman to our 

house ; 
'Tis he, and he alone, has seen them come; 
But in his drowsy brain no reason swims. 
Our Glow-worm is half goblin and half slave. 
And dreams within that fairy wilderness 
Where all things meet. 

24 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Podagra. 

Where is this inquest held? 

MERoii. 

In Panthia's cave. 
Podagra. 

On tiptoe then! Advance and lead us there. 
Exeunt severally. 



25 



ACT II 

Scene II. The Cave of Panthia. She is at work 
over an incantation, and arranges her appa- 
ratus. A steaming tripod is before her. Glow- 
worm sits coiled and drowsy under her 
spells. 

Panthia. 

Sound, katydids, your softest tremolo 
And let the treble crickets to his ears 
Play the first stave of evening's overture. 

{Music. Enter at the back Meroe. 

Panthia. {To Meroe.] 

Hush! He is in the snare. Speak low^, speak low. 
Since I have seen thee I have mighty news. 
Our sister's husband is the God of Love! 

Meroe. 

What! Would no mortal do? The God of Love! 

Panthia. 

See what the carrier of the setting sun 

Dropped me from Paphos. 

{Reads a paper. 

Proclamation. 

I, Venus, send this greeting to all the witches in 

Lydia. My snub-nosed boy, Cupid, is lost. I sent 

him to destroy the new goddess, Psyche, and the 

twain have vanished in a rolling cloud. The silly 

maid knows not who her lover is, and she cannot 

26 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

see him. If she shall once look upon him I shall 

triumph over both. 

When they are found, cast the spell of Venus 

upon Psyche and bid her hold a lamp at midnight 

above her sleeping husband. 

Ride — ride — ride. Find — find — find ! 



Venus Victrix. 



Merge. 

Where are the runaways? 



Panthia. 

The mind that knows 
Lies dreaming in jon stupefied cocoon. 

Merge. 

Our servant Glow-worm? 

Panthia. 

Yes, the watching worm 
Has seen Dan Cupid's servants come and go 
Bringing the presents. 

Enter on tiptoe Aegn and Podagra 
What! must these shallow swaggerers assist 
At Hecate's holy mysteries? 

\_To them.] 
Beware! Silence! 
A word will ruin all my charms. 

Aegn. [In a whisper to Pgdraga.] 
Shade him, bedew him! He's uncoiling. See'st 
thou the horrible, hairy fuzz of the monster? Lord, 
how his smoky eyes fright me ; and his feelers wave 
at us like crawfish in a dream. 

Panthia. 

Silence! Let no one question him but me. 

I know his language. 

27 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Glow-worm. 

Darkness. 

Panthia. [Recites charm.] 

When by the Lydian palace gate 
The trooping shadows congregate, 
Servant-goblins, fairy-grooms, 
Horsemen from imperial stables, 
Valets hot from gilded rooms. 
Trenchermen from royal tables. 
Housemaids, idle as their brooms, 
Whisper, gossip, sip and revel. 
Clink and chatter through the glooms, 
Flirt and play the merry devil ; 
While athwart the furtive throng 
Broken music from on high, — 
Where the snoring princes lie, — 
Breathes a burden to their song, 
Such joys amid the falling dews 
Glow-worm's somber lamp reviews. 

Panthia. [To Glow-worm.] 

Saw'st thou. Glow-worm, darkly-bright 

Messengers in the moony light. 

Post boys running, and postilions 

Speeding on the wings of night? 

Glow-worm. 

[After a pause, raising his head, dreamily.] 
Zephyr taps but never knocks. 
Zephyr sweeps but never lingers. 
Hiding in her taper fingers 
Many an alabaster box. 

Panthia. 

Ha! Zephyr! [To the rest.] He speaks the name 
Zephyr. Zephyr is a servant of the young god and 
runs his errands. She stole after the lovers to be 
their slave. [To Glow-worm.] Who is Zephyr? 
28 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Glow-worm. 

Handmaid to all heavenly pleasures, 
Throne-girl to Queen Psyche's state. 
Nimble Zephyr heaves 'the treasures 
At our shining marble gate. 

Podagra. 

Ask him how to get there. Let him tell the 

itinerary. 

Meroe. 

Ask him how we can visit our sister. 

Panthia. 

Sister Psyche, shining Queen — 
We would visit her demesne. 

Glow-worm. 

When the daybreak smites the crag, 

Fasting, climb its rocky spire ; 
Wave thy mantle for a flag 

Plunge to darkness through the fire. 
Zephyr's arms shall then receive thee. 
Cradling bear, and lightly leave thee 

At the Palace of Desire. 

Panthia. 

We must climb the crag and cast ourselves into the 
abyss. Then will Zephyr catch us and carry us 
into the palace. 

Aeon. [To Podagra.] 
Madness ! 

Podagra. 

I like not this plunging. Who can tell how good 
a catch this Zephyr may prove. Zephyr is like to 
be a fumbling ball-pla^ver. The creature has col- 
lapsed. This deliverance was a great effort of 
29 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

divination for him. He is become a worm with- 
out a glow. I cannot fear him now. Lo, I will 
kick the prophet. [Glow-worm moves his feelers.] 
Ghost of Patroclus! Move him out, some of you! 
Control him, my dear Panthia! 

Panthia. 

Sister Meroe, to-morrow we shall see Psyche ! 

Meroe. 

And her husband! 

Panthia. 

To-morrow at dawn you and I will climb the peak 
and cast ourselves from its pinnacle. Then will 
Zephyr spread her arms for us and waft us to the 
Palace of Psyche. [She holds up the Proclamation.] 
"When they are found, let Psyche hold a lamp above 
her sleeping husband at midnight." 

Meroe. 

How can we get her to do that? 

Panthia. 

Charm her, child! The great world-powers are 
now our ministers. Panthia's wings are spread. 
Fear nothing. 

Aeon. [To Podagra.] 

This is not a man's work, brother Podagra. After 

all, this paying of visits is woman's business. 

Podagra. [To Aeon^ nodding.] 

Head pins and curl boxes! Shall we go see the 

Thracian boxer at the amphitheatre? 

Aeon. [To Podagra.] 

You speak like an oracle. Wait till they leave 

30 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Panthia. [Points to Glow-worm.] 
Leave him to sleep off his stupor in the cave. 
They creep out severally. 



31 



ACT II 

Scene III. Psyche's bedchamber. 
On the left upstage a four poster classic bed, with 
hangings. In the front of the stage and a little to 
the right, a low couch. Cupid and Psyche. 

Psyche. 

Must you be gone so soon, sweet butterfly? 
You flit with morning ever. Say what best, 
What business drives your wings about the world 
In their invisible and whirring flight, 
Touching the blossoms, waking spicy spring. 
Or peeping in the happy floweret's eyes 
To tell them day is nigh? My love, my joy. 
Whom the sun snatches — Husband, are you there? 
Love-bird, I see thee not. Say you are here; 
Or fan me with the dow^n upon your wings 
That I may feel their waving. 

Cupid. 

Lo, my sweet, 
I'm at thine elbow. 

Psyche. 

Feathery and smooth. 
Must you go floating through the marble clouds 
And leave me watching? 

Cupid. [Stringing his bow.] 

Ay, I have business at the Pyramids. 

Psyche. 

To kiss the stony lips of Memnon's statue? 
32 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Cupid. 

Worse than the stinging kisses of a bee — 

I must set fire in a frozen heart 

A league beyond the towers of Babylon. 

Psyche. 

What dreadful trade is this? 



Cupid. 

Semiramis- 

PSYCHE. 



With women, sweet? Must I be jealous then? 

Cupid. 

Yes, if you fear the favorites of heaven, 

Leda, Alcmena and Persephone, — 

And love-struck women of our golden age; 

Medea with the wound that will not heal; 

Deserted Dido, Phaedra's poisoned pain; 

And singing Sappho on her island cliff. 

Psyche. 

Not thee they love then, my young Emperor! 

Cupid. 

Tyro, that in a glassy curling wave, 

Woo'd of the water god 

Psyche. 

But not of thee 

Cupid. 

They know me not. And I nor love nor hate, 
But pour my kindling arrows with the sun. 
Life-giving round the world. Adieu, sweet saint, 
The dusk shall find me on the window-sill 
Poised o'er my bride. 

33 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Psyche. 

Alas, that you must go ! 

[Cupid steps upon the low window sill and 
exit as if flying. 
He is some feathered minion of the sk)^ 
Yet loves me only. All my heart's in that. 
How many women know their husbands less, 
And trust them less. The serpent in their lives 
Is the unknown. But my bright dragon's eye 
Is fixed like Arcturus at the pole, 
And turns on me. 

Enter Zephyr 
Zephyr. 
O Madam, a great accident has happ'd 

Psyche. 

silly Zephyr! Could you know my bliss 
You would not prate to me of accidents. 
Let rubies crack, and every orient pearl 
Roll back to Neptune's caverns, I care not; 
My husband loves me: there's the crystal cup 
That never shall be broke. 

Zephyr. 

The gods forefend ! 
And yet I fear some bleak calamity. 

Psyche. 

Speak, foolish girl: there's no calamity 

Except where terror makes one. Tell thy tale. 

Zephyr. 

Creeping at dawn, beneath the orange trees 

After my lord had sped on Phoebus' wheel, 

1 saw a shadow as of owls in flight ; 
And looking upward, lo, the princesses, 
Your sisters, Meroe and Panthia, 

In gorgeous raiment clad, — like pheasants fall, 
34 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Wheeling and tumbling through the airy light, 
As if some great magician on the rock 
Had hurled them to their doom. 

I could not pause, 
Nor reason, but to save their lives 
I stretched my arms to catch them. 

Psyche. 

Are they hurt? 
Zephyr. 

Ruffled and panting, but not hurt, they rest 
Beneath a blossom-dripping pergola. 

Psyche. 

Let them come here. 
Mercy, but this is strange! Some angry fiend 
Pursues my sisters. 

Zephyr. 

No, 'tis they that hunt. 
Beware, my lady! Panthia is a witch, 
And both look black as malice. 

Exit Zephyr 
Psyche. 

Not against me. 
I never wished them ill or gave ill words. 
When for my coyness they would threaten me 
Because I would not wed. And can they storm, 
If I have drifted into happiness 
Across a tomb? My joy will bear me up 
Against all taunting. 

Enter Meroe and Panthia 
Welcome, my sisters, howsoe'er ye come. 
Ye'U give me tidings of my mother dear, 
And that old man, that dear and sacred head. 
My father. Does his blessing come with you ? 

Meroe. 

Our father is quite well. 
35 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Panthia. 

And mother, too. 
And, Psyche, they have grieved at j^our neglect. 
Why hide you in this palace, why conceal 
The station of your lord? A criminal 
Who cloaks his evil doings from the day, 
And bids his w^ife eschew her family, 
Could not be colder. 

Merge. 

Why leave us to come 
O'er breakneck battlements to this abode 
Of gorgeous wonder, here to find at last 
A Queen too proud to know us? 

Panthia. 

Could not you 
Have sent some message to your aged saint, 
Your father? 

Merge. 

Could you not have told your name? 

[They are a little inmtent and vaguely press- 
ing and threatening. Enter Zephyr at 
the hack. 

Psyche. 

Alas, my name is Psyche. 

Merge. 

Ay, but his 

Psyche. 

Zephyr, bring seats and cushions. 

[Psyche helps to do so herself. 
Merge. {Aside to Panthia, pointing to table. ~\ 

Rubies of Cathay. 
The hangings, needlework! No cradle yet. 

Panthia. [To Merge.] 

/ see no husband. [To Psyche.] May we sit and 

talk? 

36 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Psyche. 

Pray, — at your will. 

Merge. 

The journey was severe. 
Panthia. 

And you shall tell us of your householdry, 
The woman's way. Your husband is from home? 

Psyche. 
Yes, sister. 

Merge. 

Is he often so, my dear? 
Psyche. 

Why, yes, I hardly know — I should have asked 
For yours. Are Aeon and Podagra well ? 

Panthia. [To Merge.] 
The woman's watching us. 

[To Zephyr.] 
Zephyr is your name. 
Fetch me a cup of water from the spring. 

[Zephyr demurs and looks towards 
Psyche. 
Psyche. 
A cup of water. Zephyr. 

Exit ^Zephyr 
Merge. 
What is your husband's office? 

Psyche. 

I scarce know 
That I can tell his office. 

Merge. 

What's his name? 
Panthia. 
How old is he? 

37 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Merge. 

How handsome? 
Is he gay, or solemn, like yourself? 

Panthia. 

And did he come 
With prancing horses to the monument 
Or swim like Luna towards Endymion 
Down from the sky? 

Psyche. [Aside.'] 

If I could show my love invisible 

I'd not expose him to their vulture eyes. 

He is the lord and savior of my soul 

That only can be seen w^ith eyes of love. 

[During the following colloquy Merge and 
Panthia draiv- nearer and nearer to 
Psyche^ who is at first surprised, then 
affronted, and finally confused and 
dazed by the attack. 

Panthia. 

Thy husband lives? 

Show us his picture. 

Merge. 

Let us see his cloak. 
Tell us the nearest guess thou hast of him. 

Panthia. 

[Making passes in the air over Psyche.] 
Tell, tell, tell! 

Psyche. [As if overcome by the spell.] 
At night my love appears 
Like Hermes in the dusk — a Phidian shape, 
With the immortal beauty of his mind 
Surrounding me. 

38 \ 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Panthia. [To Merge, almost hissing.] 

In the blind soul of her moth's mind and when 

common sense and common ej esight are shut, Psyche 

sees! 



Merge. [To Panthia.] 
Now strike! 

Panthia. 

[Approaching Psyche and making passes 

ivith heavy power. ^ 
When the Tyrian dyes commingle 

In the moonlit corridors, 
And the stars of midnight tingle 

In the Parian marble floors, 
And the spirits creep and crouch 
Past the bridegroom and his couch ; 

When the breezes lift his hair 

Spicing it with juniper, 
And the earthy breath of night, 
Cool and bitter, blithe and damp, 
Feeds the flicker of a lamp, 
Which the little bride doth light, 
Holding it above the couch 
While the spirits creep and crouch ; 

Lift it, hold it high above; 

Psyche, view thy sleeping love! 

Merge. 

You have dazed her. 

Panthia. 

I have stabbed the poison to her entrails. Come! 
[To Psyche.] Sister, we must go now. Bid your 
slave lift us to the battlement. 

Psyche. [Dazed, smiling.] 

Going so soon ? But I must show vou the orangery. 
You will tell father you saw Psyche. All's well. 
39 ■ 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

[Aside.] I have a pain here that I had when I 
was three years old, and saw the black creature by- 
the fountain. [To sisters.] Forgive me, sisters, if 
I have slighted you. My head swims a little. But 
you are welcome. 

Merge. 

A natural illness. Sister Panthia, we had best 
leave now. 
Enter Zephyr. Exeunt Mero,e and Panthia. 

Zephyr. 

What have they done to you? Lie down, Madam. 
The vixens have hurt you. Did they bite you? 

Psyche. [Nodding and shuddering.] 
I don't know. 

Zephyr. 

Shall I dash them to atoms? 

Psyche. 

No, no, no. Let them go. Waft them to the 

crag. Let Apollo judge. Shut the doors and lay 

me on the bed. Too much light. 

[Psyche lies down. Exit Zephyr. She 
enters again, closes doors, draws cur- 
tains, making a half-light. Zephyr 
kneels by the bedside. 

Psyche. 

Doors are shutting in my brain. I shall sleep 

soon. — Is my lord come? 

Zephyr. 

Not yet, Madam. 

Psyche. 

Would I might see him. When he comes, wake 
me. Do not let me sleep — Sleep's evil. Promise 
40 , 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

me, Zephyr, for the blinds are closing. Something 
comes down. 

Zephyr. 

I promise, my lady. 

Psyche. 

Once at a banquet was a Lydian boy 

With curls like hanks of silk. 

He called me queen: 
He sidled nigh and kissed me. Psyche slapped 

him ; — 
But Lord, I loved him. 

[Sleeps. 
[Zephyr rises cautiously, arranges the cov- 
erings, sets the room a little to rights, 
lights a small invisible flame in a house- 
hold shrine at the back, and sits again 
to watch. Enter Cupid between the 
curtains on the window sill. 
Cupid. 
What, is it so late? 

[Zephyr holds up her finger.'] 
Sickness here! Miasma, — odor of nightshade. 

\_Takes his bow and arrows. 
Zephyr. [As before.] 
Her sisters have been here. 

Cupid. [Shrugs.] 

My arrows cannot reach them. [Lays down bow.] 

What's amiss? 

Zephyr. 

One of them must have bit her. I was gone. 
When I came back she fought with drowsiness 
Like some swxet angel dragged upon by fiends, 
Bidding me wake her when her lord should come; 
41 1 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Then swooned into a sleep, and now she moans, 
Mutters and clutches in a restless dream. 

Cupid. [Approaching the bed.] 
Psyche, my Psyche 

Psyche. 

Husband, is it thou? 
I cannot see thee. O my eyes are blind. 

Cupid. 

Nay, dost remember? Love's invisible. 

Thou must not see me now. 

Psyche. 
Where art thou? 

Cupid. 

Here, my loved one, by thy side. 
Psyche. 
Would I might see thee. 

Cupid. 

That would bring the curse, 
The blight to part us. Venus wills it so. 

Psyche. 

A tyrant! Art thou sunny or dark-haired. 
Like the Egyptian shepherds? 

Cupid. 

I am young, 
All of my beauty lies in loving thee. 
Forbear, my Psyche, shall we break the globe 
Of our celestial happiness? 

Psyche. 

Ah, sweet. 
Thy comfort comes again. But go not hence 
42 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Till sleep shall drowse these phantasies away 
And give us back the morn. 

Cupid. 

I'll sit by thee 
As when I waited at the sculptured tomb, 
Watching till love should wake. 

Psyche. 

So rest: love's best and sight is error. 

Cupid. [To Zephyr.] 

Smite some soft cloud of music from thine harp, 

But nothing startling. 

[Music. 
[Psyche sleeps, Cupid watches, nods. Later 
he rises and goes to the couch, where 
he lies down. Music changes its char- 
acter. Psyche stirs, rises as if in her 
sleep, goes to the back, lights a little 
Greek lamp and moves forward till she 
holds it above the couch. 

Psyche. 

A winged boy! O heavens, how beautiful! 

'Tis Cupid with his quiver at his back. 

A god! A glowing and immortal child 

More radiant than Apollo's archery, 

With crisped, burnished ringlets on his brow 

Smiling in slumber. Yet of manly port 

As if Adonis on a hunting-trip 

Bore Cupid's dart. O Psyche, drone and slave, 

This is thy master! Kneel and kiss his feet. 

Then seek thy happy couch to dream again. 

[She makes a misstep and a drop of burning 
oil is seen to flicker slowly down 
through the air and seems to light on 
Cupid. He springs up, seizes his bow. 
43 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Cupid. 

Off, Villains ! Murder ! Something has burned me. 

A scalding drop of oil has hurt my wing! 

My girl, how come you here ? Why stand you thus, 

And hold a dizzy lamp ? What eyes thou hast ! 

A glaring Gorgon sees not more than thou. 

Thou dost behold me! Psyche, Psyche mine, 

There is no leisure for a long adieu. 

For Venus springs her net. My sweet, my soul, 

I'll love thee ever! 

[The clank of chains is heard. The lamp 
falls and is dashed to pieces. Dark- 
ness.^ 

Too late! The goddess comes! 

[Prison noises and disordered scuffle, then 
silence and complete darkness. The 
light glows and shows Venus Victrix. 
At her feet lie Cupid and Psyche in 
chains.^ 

CURTAIN 



44 



ACT III 

Scene I. Venus' Boudoir. Venus at her toilet. 
FoTiS is putting on her slippers. 

Venus. [Aside.'] 

I'll conquer yet! The miscreants are gaff'd 

But not subdued. 

[To FoTis.] 
Why do you fix your eyes 
As if you saw a demon? 

FOTIS. 

Sorry, Madam. 
The wrinkle at your mouth is sharp as tin. 

Venus. 

Give me the Rhodian unguent. I must smile 

Or Mars will slight me. How's my peppery boy? 

FoTis. 

Sleeps, Madam. 

Venus. 

Him I can control; 
But she is of a deep and crafty wit, 
And draws on forces that I cannot bind. 
Clutching at fate still. Bring the villains in. 

FOTIS. 

Madam, I'll need a hand to help me then; 
For Master Cupid bites. 
45 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Venus. 

He bites? — The angel! 

FOTIS. 

Madam, I have a friend, I am engaged. 

Venus. 

Fotis engaged! To whom, unfeeling girl? 

FOTIS. 

There is a groom, one Glow-worm, by your leave 
An excellent honest man, and loves me well. 

Venus. 

He'll watch thee well by night ! But what of him ? 

Fotis. 

He's in the kitchen. Ma'am: his powerful arms 

Would soon control young master. 

Venus. 
Bring him in. 

[Enter Glow-WORM as bridegrooin. His 
eyes blink at the light. ^ 

[To Fotis.] 
Why does he wear that bunch of celery? 

Fotis. 

It is his fancy. Ma'am, a badge of 's office. 

Oh, he is very proud and sensitive. 

[To Glow-worm.] 
Glow-worm, our mistress greets thee. 

Glow-worm. 

My duty to you. Ma'am. 

[Bows to the wrong place. 
Fotis. 

Here, sweet, here, 
Her Majesty is here. 

46 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Venus. [To Glow-worm.] 

Canst thou attach thee to a flighty knave 

And hold him while he takes his punishment? 

Glow-worm. 

Ay, if I lay my feelers on him he'll not squirm. 

[He agitates his feelers. 

FoTis. 

I warrant him, my lady. 

Venus. 

Fetch them in. 
Exeunt FoTis and Glow-worm 
The boy shall be imprisoned in a cage 
Like a clipped blackbird ; and the haughty wench 
Shall fag about the confines of the world 
Harried by Venus' bloodhounds. 

[Enter from opposite sides Glow-WORM, 
holding CuPiD and FoTiS leading 
Psyche. The culprits are still in 
chains. 

Venus. [To Cupid.] 
Ah, ruffian! 

[To Glow-worm.] 
Give me the bow and arrows. 

Cupid. 

Mamma, your hair's undone. 

[As he does this, he darts a hand at her and 
snatches a curl.] 
Too blond! I knew the girl in Attica 
Who owned that curl. 

Venus. 

Wretch ! Monster ! 
Hold him, Glow-worm. Fotis, I bleed. 

[Cupid is over-mastered. 
47 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Cupid. 

She bleeds in hairpins. 

[Struggles and tries to bite. 
Venus. [To Fotis.] 

Quick, girl, the shears! [Fotis procures a large 
pair of shears, and Venus cuts off Cupid's wings, 
which she throws on the floor.] Now [panting] 
the cage! [Fotis fetches a wicker cage and Cupid 
is thrust into it.] Thou wingless worm! 

Cupid. 

Come nearer, Mother, I will whisper you a song in 

your ear. 

Fotis. 

Do not go near him, Madam. 

Venus. [Looking at him doatingly.] 
Say it, darling. 

Cupid. 

Love within a cage 
Takes the tyrant's rage. 
(Sing small.) 
Cupid sits and sings 
While he grows new wings- 



[Makes a sudden grab through the bars of 
cage, but fails to reach her.] 
That's all! 
Venus. 
You naughty insect! 

[To Psyche.] 
But thou, siren soul. 
Defiant woman! Forth against the world! 
Clamber across the rocks of Caucasus 
And bid Prometheus teach thee. Fetch a jug 
Of Lethe's water for my toilet case; 
The wool-tips of the guarded golden fleece 

48 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Shalt thou collect, and pull the gossamer 
From the Chimera's eyebrows for my muff; 
And thy despair shall feed my luxury. 
Thy spirit shall be quelled through Venus' power. 
Thou art the slave of Venus from this hour. 

[Psyche is driven forth. 

CURTAIN 



49 



ACT III 

Scene II. Evening landscape. The god Pan plays 

his pipes. 
Pan. 

My sleepy goats went huddling to their cote 
As if they trusted not the power of Pan 
Beyond its palings. Nibbling field-mice cheep 
But shun the moon. And with a shattered hull 
Across the circling oaktops, Cynthia 
Floats on the twilight. Hark ! the marshy sounds, 
That should be jocund, wail like Acheron, 
And night's uneasy. 

[Psyche is discovered crouching in the 
twilight.^ 
Lo, some wayfarer 
Storm-struck and tottering, a w^oman too. 
Whose locks the briers of grief have rudely combed, 
Moans on the bank. 

Psyche. 

O Pan, O universal house of life. 

Pan, Pan! 

Pan. 

Her fluttering pulses tap the drum of death: 
It is my summons. Woman, who art thou 
That clutchest in the broken strings of thought 
To find the music? 

Psyche. 

Pan, O deathless Pan, 
Fling thy kind mantle over Psyche's grave 
50 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

And turn my mould to love. I gave him all, 
Worked as a bond-slave in the tyrant's mill, 
Crippled my heart with labors, ran the road 
And toiled the mountain, digged old treasures up 
And drugged the greedy maws of Cerberus 
To feed the spite of Venus. Still she smiled 
And, as I sickened, moved her tricky goal. 
See her last errand! In this onyx jar 
The earrings of the lost Proserpina, 
Which savage Venus covets, are inurned. 
But never shall they hang by Venus' cheek. 
Hope is no more. Life's cistern is run out, 
And love is burned to ashes: let me die. 
My husband she hath held in servitude. 
While me she ran to death about the world. 

Pan. 

It was towards me that thou wast journeying. 

Psyche. 

How? Has some woman felt a fate like mine. 

That thou dost know me? 

Pan. 

Thou art like the rest. 
Thy feet have paced the high-road. 

Psyche. 

And my lord? 
Pan. 

Thy tasks have freed him. 

Psyche. 

How? — my pain, his cure? 
Pan. 

The drudgery which thou hast blindly wrought 
Has caused his wings to grow. He is a god 
And will reclaim thee from all-judging Zeus. 
Yea, towards Olympus doth thy lover soar, 
51 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

To meet his bride in Immortality. 

Thy labors raised him. Lo, what darkness here, 

And yet what life. Thus thrives invisible 

The world behind the world that rules the world, 

And brings the just to heaven. 

Psyche. 

O Pan, great Pan! 
Wizard and true physician of the soul, 
Give me one drop of some deep medicine 
To make me sleep. 

Pan. [Takes the earrings fro?n the urn.~\ 
Toil-won trophies of the tomb, 
Starry children of the mine, 
From the depths of hell ye come 
In the depths of heaven to shine. 

[Places them in Psyche's earsJl 

Psyche, close thy steadfast eyes; 
Sleep, and wake in Paradise. 



CURTAIN 



52 



ACT III * 

Scene III. The Banquet of the Gods 
Enter Cupid — approaches Zeus 
Cupid. 

Father of gods and men, thy child am I. 
My bride was by my mother sacrificed 
And held in durance. Psyche is her name. 
Now by the might of thine ambrosial head, 
And by the awful lightnings from thy throne 
I claim her in Olympus. She hath saved 
The God of Love. And thou, cloud-throned Zeus, 
Shalt save Love's savior. At our gate one stays, 
Borne in her sleep by flying messengers. 

[Zeus kisses Cupid. 
Hermes. 

Eternal Sire, the lad is eloquent. 
Young faces in Olympus are too scarce. 
And these are heavenly. 

Apollo. 

It is a maid 
That from her youth hath been my votaress. 

Juno. 

I see the eye of Zeus, and I consent. 

Venus. 

And I lack will 
To match my might against the thunderer. 

* This last scene is to be treated as a pageant. Con- 
sult Raphael's picture, etc. Suppress the text, if desired. 

53 



CUPID AND PSYCHE 

Zeus. 

Admit the nymph ! 

[Chorus during which Psyche enters and is 
met by CuPiD and received by the 
ffods.] 
Psyche comes, throw wide the portals 

Set the lovers side by side: 
In the throng of the Immortals 
Winged Cupid takes his bride. 



She hath trod the Stygian meadows, 
She hath known the dragon's eye: 

She hath passed beyond the shadows; 
Psyche ever sought the sky. 

Let the waves of the i^gean 
Waft the story far and wide: 

While Olympus lifts a paean 

To the bridegroom and the bride. 



54 



LAFAYETTE 

A Divertissement of Three Scenes 



DRAMATIS PERSONiE 
Washington. 
Colonel Hamilton. 
Lafayette. 
A Captain. 
The Muse of History. 



Lafayette was written for the Lafayette Fund Corn- 
mitteej and acted at the Century Theatre in Janu- 
ary, 1915. 



LAFAYETTE 



Scene I. Washington s Camp at Valley Forge. 

A winter sunset. The camp lies along a steep ridge, 
on the edge of the Schuylkill River, which 
meanders into the distance. The huts are seen 
among pine trees on ivhose branches lies the 
snow. On one side, the log cabin of Wash- 
ington. 

The misery and destitution of the troops is made 
apparent by their ragged uniforms and emacia- 
tion, by their bare feet, by the primitive nature 
of their huts, their cooking arrangements and 
the utensils which lie about. 

Washington stands before his log cabin. 

Enter an orderly 
Washington. 

Send Colonel Hamilton to me. 
Exit orderly 
It seems the British Army is well pleased 
To burn their Christmas candles for a month, 
Making such holiday in Philadelphia 
That we, whose Christmas trees stand in the soil, 
May thank all-overarching Providence 
For their rejoicings. Should Sir William guess 
What famine and what skeletons are here 
He'd make a dash at us between the toasts, — 
Spoiling his feast with war. 

Enter Hamilton 
57 



LAFAYETTE 



Hamilton. 
Your Excellency- 



Washington. 

Good evening, Colonel Hamilton. 
What say our scouts? 

Hamilton. 

All's quiet. War's asleep. 
The danger lurks behind. 

Washington. 

Speak plainly, Sir. 
This is no time to hint conspiracies. 
Whom do you mean, Sir? 

Hamilton. 

I mean Congress, Sir — 
The danger comes from Congress. 

[Showing paper.] 
A remonstrance 
Against our going into winter quarters. 

Washington. 

What ? You say — they'd keep us in the field ? 

Hamilton. 

They wish a hot campaign ; fearing, no doubt, 
The too luxurious living of our camp. 
Civilian intrigue chokes us. We have fought 
While these same wolfish members prowled about. 
Barked at our heels, upset our best commands ; 
Who now — God save my soul — begrudge us beds. 
These lawyers think that soldiers feel no frost, 
Sleep on the sod by nature, drink the dew, 
58 : 



LAFAYETTE 

And fill their bellies with a cannonade. 

Have I your leave to write and tell them so? 

Washington. 

Certainly not, Sir. Let me see the paper. 

[Hamilton hands a paper.] 

They counsel us to drive the British out, 

Storm Philadelphia, and protect the hearths 

Of peaceful Pennsylvania. By my soul! 

These gentlemen have written by a hearth 

In some well-lardered, comfortable inn. 

Tell them we will receive them in a camp 

Where men unblankcted sit up all night 

Before the sentinel fire, — where tracks of blood 

Follow a naked footing at reviews; 

Where uniforms mean rags, and rations — famine; 

And soldiers who are beggars, save in courage. 

Carry a nation's fortunes in their hearts. 

Unfed, unclad, uncomforted, they live 

As if an inward supernatural fire 

Supplied their life. O might some spark of it 

Leap out from our poor, starving yeomanry 

To plant in these protesting gentlemen 

A kindred flame of honor! Show the camp! 

To-morrow let them see it. 

Hamilton. 

General, 
If I do that, some rumor will break loose 
Of our three thousand sick: one man in four 
Is on the sick-list. 

Washington. 

Lead them through the camp 
And let its spectres speak. What have you there? 
59 



LAFAYETTE 

Hamilton. 

Here are the day's desertions — twenty-seven; 

And here a list, — eleven officers 

Whose terms expire. And here the last memorial 

To Congress from substantial citizens 

Who hate the prolongation of the war. 

Washington. 

Are they not ''Friends," — or peace-men? 

Hamilton. 

Quakers, Sir, 
Who quake at all things. First they quake with 

fear — 
And then, — for fear they have not quaked enough. 
They tremble at the British, till we come; 
Then tremble lest we forage on their farms; 
And being saved by us, tremble the more 
For that war-spirit and that army-caste 
So foreign to their hearts, so dangerous 
To true religion and that deeper duty, — 
America's true mission to mankind. 
Never, they say, can gunpowder assist 
The purposes of God ; and if we fight 
We but destroy our future usefulness, 
Offend all foreign nations and become 
No better than the warring Kings abroad. 
If this memorial were mere literature, 
It were a pretty piece to make one laugh. 
But, General, the sad desertions here 

[Showinff paper.] 
And those whose terms of valor have expired 
Are children of these quaking brethren: 
Their blood is cooled by that memorial ink 
Which here is spilled so freely — 
Have I your leave to write and tell them so? 
60 



LAFAYETTE 

Washington. 

Not so : we stand in need of their good will 
And they are kindly people. Yet I trow 
There needs a government of common sense 
That shall protect such kindness with the sword. 
God grant our country lack not souls like these; — 
Nor men to save them. Hamilton, our fate 
Sways in an unseen balance. 

\_Pointing to the canip.~\ 

Behold a nation's life, 

That In those twinkling camp-fires seems to merge 

In the still sunset! And behind them both, — 

The Power that rules our lives. Leave me, my 

friend. 

Exit Hamilton 

Washington. 

Methought I heard a trumpet in the sky — 

But voices, surely 

Enter an Orderly 
Orderly. 
Major General, the Marquis Lafayette. 

Exit Orderly — Enter Lafayette 

Washington. 

I knew it was an angel. 

Lafayette. 

Your Excellence will pardon the late hour, 

And sudden interruption 

[Washington and Lafayette shake hands 
affectionately. They almost embrace. 

Washington. 

My dear Marquis, 
Almost my son — the pleasure that you bring 
Makes every hour its own. Come when you like. 
If war can bring such union as we know 
6i 



LAFAYETTE 

Between a rough old soldier, like myself, 
And the white flower of ancient chivalry 
In Lafayette, — what charm can peace propose? 
But you have news 

Lafayette. 

Grave news! Great news! — 
Prepare, — for to receive it 
Will task your powers of self-control, my General. 

Washington. 

Come, I am tough : I see that it is good. 

Lafayette. 

Know, my Commander, that his Majesty 

The King of France and the Commissioners 

Of your United States have signed a treaty, 

Agreeing to effectually maintain 

The Independence, sovereignty and freedom 

Of these United States, in government 

And in commercial dealings — absolute 

As any sovereign people on the earth. 

To this the honor of an ancient race 

The King doth pledge, and every honest guess 

Shows that a fleet and army follow it. 

Washington. 

Let us give thanks to God. The dawn was long; 

Now Independence, bursting like a sun, 

Shines out of France. The mighty shield of France 

Is held above our feeble infancy; 

And a new nation, cradled in her arms, 

Smiles on the world. 

Lafayette. 

O Liberty, the heart of Washington 

Hath been thy camp! 

62 



LAFAYETTE 

Washington. 

Marquis, give thanks to God — And thee, my friend, 

The nearest piece of France that I can reach 

I'll lovingly embrace. — 

I must announce these blessings to the men 

Whose lives have wrought them. 

Summon the army! 

Bring me pen and ink 

[To Orderly. 
I'll draw a proclamation. 

[Orderly brings table, inkstand, quill pens^ 
etc. Washington writes the procla- 
mation. Soft ?nusic.^ 
The Men Assemble 



Washington. [Hands paper to Captain.] 
Read the proclamation, Sir 



Captain. [Reads.] 

*It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Uni- 
verse to defend the cause of the United American 
States and finally to raise up a powerful friend 
among the princes of the earth, to establish our 
liberty and independence upon a lasting foundation; 
it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully ac- 
knowledging the Divine goodness, and celebrating 
the important event which we owe to his divine in- 
terposition. To-morrow the Army shall be assembled 
in brigades, and by solemn exercises and the firing 
of cannon shall celebrate the blessed alliance between 
the arms of France and the United States. 
Long live the King of France! 
Long live the friendly European Powers! 

* These phrases are taken from the original proclamation. 

63 



LAFAYETTE 

All. 

Long live the King of France! 

Long live the friendly European Powers! 



CURTAIN 



Scene IL Review of Troops of the Allies after 
the Fall of Yorktown. 

Enter before the curtain the Muse of History, 
bearing a tall torch. 

The Muse. 

I am the Muse of History whose torch 

Illumes the tragic caverns of the Past 

With deathless radiance, — quiet as the stars. 

Darkling was our stage, 

Now moves a gayer pageant on your view 

And war's slow watch-fires thrill to scenes of joy. 

Two years have passed: — the French have sent a 

fleet, 
Manned and munitioned by the Royal Will, 
Commanded by old gallant Rochambeau, 
Heavy with gold to feed Americans, 
And bristling with the seasoned troops of France. 
This horde hath wrought our great deliverance; 
Yorktown has fallen, — where more Frenchmen 

fought 
Than Yankees in the Continental ranks, — 
Yorktown, where Rochambeau and Lafayette, 
De Grasse, Saint Simon, and that kingly soul, 
Cornwallis, shed a lustre of romance 
Forever from the old world on the new; 
Yea, like the Paladins of Charlemagne, 
Or old crusaders round some mythic King, 

64 



LAFAYETTE 

They flank the giant frame of Washington. 
They are our own: we claim them: they belong 
To the heroic legend of our youth 
Which cannot die while manhood lives in us. 
Therefore hath Fancy pictured a review, — 
The Troops that fought at Yorktown, — but be sure 
The siege is over, and our tiny men, 
Most like the soldiery of fairy-land, 
Speak to the spirit. 

\^Here follows the Review^ with just enough 
speaking by the Muse to explain the 
manoeuvres. At the close of the Re- 
view, Washington and Lafayette are 
found at the front of the stage.] 

Lafayette. 

Your Excellence, the pilot summons me; 

And winds that will not wait blow me toward 

France. 
O may I find in what awaits me there 
Such innocence, such courage, so much hope 
As we have known — 

Washington. 

Adieu, dear friend. My thoughts shall fly behind 

Where youth and glory lead you. May our names 

Like towers on some sacred city's wall 

Bind our two nations in a lasting league 

To save the world. For, Sir, the time shall come 

When France, with all the treasures of her mind. 

The precious freight of all her centuries, — 

Her art, her grace, her freedom and her love, — 

Shall stand in peril. May my countrymen 

Thinking on thee and me, — run to her aid — 

With hearts as generous and hands as full 

As Frenchmen showed toward us. 

curtain 

65 



LAFAYETTE 

Before the curtain enter the Muse of History. 

Muse. 

My torch burns low, the suffocated world 

— Dark as in earthquake — shudders into cracks 

That flash and tremble. Light and thought are 

dead. 
But hark! Hell's wheels are grinding underneath 
With mufl^ed and accelerating power 
To wreck the world. 

A crash, — a flame, — a groan! 
Some great cathedral falls. Rheims is no more! 
Ah, thou proud beauty of my centuries. 
Thou climbing shrine of intellectual fire, 
Thou sendest thy last beacon to mankind. 
My torch hath caught thy flame, — to treasure it 
Till the last judgment! 

But, what form is this 
Of blackened misery? 

\_A small child in rags, through zvhich its 
naked limbs are seen, li?nps forward 
slowly and with difficulty.^ 

Child, I know thee not, — 
Yet surely of my children thou art one. 
Starvation in thine eye — I'll give thee food, 
Whoe'er thou art. Speak, young one; tell thy 
name. 

Child. 

I, — I am Belgium. 

Muse. [Embraces the child.'] 

O thou starving chick. 
Art thou the little Belgium that I nursed, — 
Belgium, the saddest child of History, — 
How have they used thee! 

But thou shalt not die. 
Be sure of this, my child, thou shalt not die. 
66 



LAFAYETTE 

Thee have the heavenly angels singled out 

To be a victim, yea, the sacrifice, 

The symbol and eternal covenant 

Of a New Age. The Kingdom shall be stayed 

On every noblest passion of the race; 

And "Belgium" shall be written on the Bond 

That holds mankind at one. I feed thee now, 

For now I can no more. But, blessed babe, 

I'll save thee too! 

Behold, a sunset gleam 
O'er the black billows! War has rolled away, 
As when a summer's day Is laid to sleep, 
And one bright planet glimmers In the sky 
To guide my glowing footsteps toward the stars. 



CURTAIN 



67 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 
A Child's Play 



DRAMATIS PERSONiE 

Faustulus ] ^,j .. r • u u 

^„ , I Uld peasants living by the 

AccA LaurentiaJ ^ ^^' 

RoMULUsl Grandsons of the banished King 

^^^ I Numitor. 
Remus J 

Rhea Sylvia, a Vestal Virgin, daughter of Numi- 
tor, and mother of the twins. 

Numitor, the banished King. 

Amulius, the usurping King. 

The Tuscan Ambassador. 

aufidiusi 

and >■ Two of King Gor's retainers. 
Flaccus J 
Captains, Propraetor, soldiers and servants. 

Scenes: By the Tiber and the King's Palace at 
Alba. 



NOTE 

The fable is from Viri Roinae as quoted in Bee- 
son and Miller's Second Latin Book: 

Proca, rex Albanorum, Numitorem et Amulium 
filios habuit. Numitori, qui natu major erat, regnum 
reliquit; sed Amulius, pulso fratre, regnavit et, ut 
eum subole privaret, Rheam Silviam, eius filiam, 
Vestae sacerdotem fecit, quae tamen Romulum et 
Remum geminos edidit. Ea re cognita Amulius 
ipsam in vincula coniecit, parvulos alveo impositos 
abiecit in Tiberim, qui tunc forte super ripas erat 
affusus; sed relabente flumine eos aqua in sicco reli- 
quit. Vastae tum in iis locis solitudines erant. 
Lupa, ut fama traditum est, ad vagitum accurrit, 
infantes lingua lambit, matremque se gessit. 

Cum lupa saepius ad parvulos veluti ad catulos 
reverteretur, Faustulus, pastor regius, re animad- 
versa eos tulit in casam et Accae Laurentiae coniugi 
dedit educandos. Adulti deinde hi inter pastores 
primo ludicris certaminibus vires auxere, deinde 
venando saltus peragrare et latrones a rapina pe- 
corum arcere coeperunt. Quare cum iis insidiati 
essent latrones, Remus captus est, Romulus vi se 
defendit. Tum Faustulus necessitate compulsus 
indicavit Romulo, quis esset eorum avus, quae mater. 
Romulus statim armatis pastoribus Albam propera- 
vit. Interea Remum latrones ad Amulium regem 
perduxerunt, eum accusantes, quasi Numitoris agros 
infestare solitus esset; itaque Remus a rege Numitori 
ad supplicium traditus est; at cum Numitor 
71 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

adulescentis vultum considerans aetatem minimeque 
servilem indolem compararet, haud procul erat, quin 
nepotem agnosceret. Nam Remus oris lineamentis 
erat matri simillimus aetasque expositionis tem- 
poribus congruebat. Ea res dum Numitoris animum 
anxium tenet, repente Romulus supervenit, fratrem 
liberat, interempto Amulio avum Numitorem in 
regnum restituit. 



72 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 



ACT I 

Scene. The cabin of Faustulus. Faustulus 
and AccA. 

ACCA. 

The boys are late again: I cannot think 
What keeps them. Romulus is lean 
With hunting, and his eyeballs gleam 
Like a wild boar's; while Remus kills himself 
To keep the pace: his chest was never good. 
Dost thou remember, husband, how he lay, 
Poor rat, amid the muddy osier twigs — 
Dost thou remember Remus, how he looked, 
Yellow as cheese? The Tiber killed his heart, 
But Romulus, with w^olf's milk on his lip 
Doubled a fist no bigger than a nut 
And swelled his neck like Mars. 

Faustulus. 

Ay, and the distance thundered. The she-wolf 
That left her cubs to feed them, seeing me. 
Circled the forest edge, then near'd again. 
Crowding and fawning past my pruning-hook, 
Until she stood above the kingly twins 
Panting with pleasure; while they drained her dugs 
Like Bacchus with his goatskin. They are sprung 
Of some antique and royal lineage. 
For never striplings wore so high a mien; 
73 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

They walk like statues, and their chiseled brows 
Seem to be ringed with gold. 

AccA. 

Would they were come! 
At dawn a leaden fear knocked at my heart. 
I rose and trembling sought them. They were 

gone! 
No neighbor saw the boys, save Regulus, 
Who met them on the road to Tusculum 
An hour before the stars of midnight set. 
Husband, what think you? 

Faustulus. 

Why, that they are gone 
To scale the rocky slopes of Algidus 
For mountain deer, or in the Alban Lake 
Sink their dank nets. Our hunters will return 
Laden with spoil. 

AccA. 

O Faustulus, see there! 
The nets and hunting-spears are in the stand. 

Faustulus. 

What? Look again: it is impossible. 

AccA. 

And see, above the fire, the arms are gone! 
The swords and shields are gone. What can it 
mean? 

Faustulus. 

It means — Now, by my father's ghost I swear, 
It means they're gone to fight the robber bands! 
Give me my targe and hanger ; get my belt ; 
I'm off to aid them. 

AccA. 

You? Too old, too old! 
74 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Faustulus. 

Too old! I am not old. My teeth can bite, 
My hands can strike, my nails can dig their eyes. 
These borderers are vermin. In my youth 
I've beaten such with flails. 

[Coughs.l 
The cattle thieves 
Shall find old Faustulus above the sod, 
And able for a thrust at some of them. 
Give me my three-pronged fork! 

AccA. 

The man is mad! 
Your cough is on you, since you kneeled too long 
In the onion patch. [Prays.] O Faunus, Faunus, 
Thee have I slighted, God of garden-work! 
Punish him not. Three handfuls of white meal 
I'll lay with salt at sunrise on thy shrine. 
Pity old Faustulus, nor make him mad 
Through age and weakness. 

Faustulus. 

Woman, stand aside! 
[He approaches the doorj throivs it open and 
a light streams in. 
Fall on your knees, Laurentia, — a vestal virgin! 

[Both peasants fall on their knees. 
Enter Rhea Sylvia 
Rhea Sylvia. 

Guardian of the Sacred Flame, 

Rhea Sylvia is my name; 

Daughter of an Alban King 

From whom the Roman state shall spring. 

I, a vestal virgin, tending 
That small flame of fire ascending, 
Birthless, ageless, and unending, — 
Shade with holy hands the glow, 
75 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Kindled centuries ago, 

Which Rome unto the world shall show. 

Faustulus, lift your eyes to Jupiter, 
And thou too, Acca. [They rise.] 

Clods of hallowed clay 
And foster-parents to anointed flesh. 
The boys ye nurse are grandsons to a King, 
And I their mother. For King Numitor 
Was by a wicked brother cast away 
And did become a wandering mendicant. 
But me, his daughter, Rhea Sylvia, 
The goddess Vesta saved. The boys are mine. 
Mars is their father. 

[Here a slight clanking of arms is heard.] 
And their destiny 
To found a martial state. Their swaddling clothes 
Were dipped in purple ere the babes were set, 
Through Fate's contriving, on the yellow flood 
Of angry Tiber. Take the token'd rags once more 
Which peasant piety has wisely hid, 
And when my sons shall speed them toward the 

King,— 
The false and wicked King Amulius, — 
Follow them with the treasures in your hands; 
But secretly and quickly. For the rest — 
Send prayers to Jove, and set a salted cake 
Nightly on Vesta's cupboard, by the hearth. 

[They fall on their knees. 
Exit Rhea Sylvia 
Acca. 

Is it a goddess? 
Faustulus. 

Nay, wife, the legend comes to me once more. 
This is the daughter of King Numitor 
Whose wicked brother drove him from the throne, 
Casting this lady, Alba's rightful heir, 

76 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Into a dungeon. There those babes were born 

Who through the will of Heav'n were cast adrift 

To ride the toppling waves in yon frail dish 

Till the relenting river pitied them 

And dried them on his lap. 

But now a god hath broke the seals of time 

To show the treasure: Mars doth claim his own; 

And our two boys are Alba's rightful Kings. 

Give me the trinkets. 



AccA. 

[Goes to the cradle and takes out some 
tatters and ornaments; they include the 
smallest size of baby-garments, purple, 
and very rich in material.^ 

These are the treason in my happiness. 

Our life began the day you found the boyS, 

And that March morning when you brought them 
in 

Flooded our home with joy. Now comes an ebb — 

And these rich Kings will steal their children back 

And leave us empty. 



Faustulus,. [Holds up his hands.] 

Enough, I hear them coming. 

[The peasants put back the rags in the ark. 
Enter RoMULUS and Remus with 
swords and clatter. Remus is 
wounded.] 



Romulus. 

Hold to my neck, brother; hold tightly. Don't let 

go your grasp. It's only a scratch, man, a mere 

slice: my shield caught the blow. Here, some- 

77 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

body ! He's fainted, Mother. He's safe 

enough — Get some hemp and acanthus leaves. The 
villain Ausonius has it, — from me. Mars! I killed 
four of the foxes, hounds, jackals! — Get water! 

Faustulus. 

What was it, Romulus? Where have ye been? 

Romulus. 

An ambush. Father. Ausonius' cattle thieves. At 
midnight I heard them in the paddock. We crept 
out, sighted them, tracked them, followed them to 
the Volscian Bridge; and then — and then — Devils! 
An ambush! Twenty men spring out on us. But 
their arms axe nothing — tin skewers. [Showing his 
shield.] Not a dint, — bronze! If you had been 
there with your hayfork, father, we should have 
routed them. The cowards! 

Faustulus. 

There, Mother. I told you so! My fork would 

have saved them. 

AcCA. [Who is tending the unconscious Remus.] 
Your fork would have cost the lives of all of you. 

Faustulus. 

But were not these men Tuscans? 

Romulus. 

Yes, subjects of King Gor of Tusculum 
Whom if I live I mean to discipline 
Till Romulus has banished robbery. 
Yea, till his name's a rocky citadel 
That spreads protection o'er the Latian plain 
And caps a Burgh of Law. 

78 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

ACCA. 

He's in his dreams. 
Open your eyes, my Remus. Remus, dear. 

Romulus. 

The lad is safe, — A flesh wound. See, the blood 
Drips and there is no clotting. Wash the wound 
And get a cup of goat's milk, Mother dear — 
Both of us need it. 

Faustulus. 

King Gor of Tusculum's a mighty name, — 
And bound in Brotherhood to Amulius, 
Our Alban King. 

Romulus. 

Our Alban King's a thief! 
AccA. 
Hush! In the name of safety 

Romulus. 

I have heard — 
Know we not, all of us, he is a thief? 
A tyrant, a usurping murderer? 
His banished brother is our lawful King. 

AccA. 

Vesta, protect us! Father, he is waking. 

[To Romulus.] 
For Jove's own sake, forbear! 
O Remus, it is Acca. This is home, 
And there are Faustulus and Romulus. 
Stand ye about the hearth and say the prayer 
We murmured as the earliest sunset died 
That gave us children. 

79 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Remus. 

Mother, — and home 



All. 

Vesta, guardian of the home. 

To thy mysteries we come: 

On thine altar, bowing low. 

Barley cakes and salt we throw. 

May thy still and holy light 

Be our watch-fire through the night. 

[A tramp of armed men is heard: a loud 
knocking at the door.] 
Captain. [Without.] 
Open in the name of King Amulius ! 

Faustulus. [Opens door.] 
What would ye here? 

Enter Captain and soldiers 
Captain. [Aside.] 

Faustulus, — peasant-farmer, — on the dyke, — 
Acca, his wife, — A cabin hung with nets. 
Two ragged lads that look like highwaymen. 

[Aloud.] 
Romulus and Remus, I arrest ye 
Upon the charge of murder and sedition. 

[Showing a dagger.] 
The blade and hilt of King Amulius. 

[Romulus raises his hand and is immedi- 
ately disarmed and overmastered. 
Faustulus. 
Submit, submit, my son. 

[Remus is raised up.] 
Captain. 
Attention. March ! 

[Exeunt all but Faustulus and Acca. 
They stand dazed. They sit down be- 
fore the fire. AcCA rises — goes to the 
80 



ROMLLUS AND REMUS 

wicker ark — takes out the trinkets and 
baby clothes and puts them in Faustu- 
Lus' hands. He looks at her, still 
dazed, as he receives them. They sit in 
silence. 



CURTAIN 



8l 



ACT II 

Scene: The throne-room at Alba Longa. 

On one side a hearth with fire. Before it sits 
NuMiTOR, disguised as a wayfarer. The old 
mans head is covered with a coarse mantle. 
He is in the attitude of a suppliant, and sits in 
motionless, dreary, stony silence. Enter King 
Amulius and the Tuscan Ambassador. 
The Ambassador is sumptuously dressed. 

Amulius. 

Ah, Prince, you're stirring early. My good friend 

King Gor, your royal master, is well served. 

If all Ambassadors were as diligent 

Kingdoms would turn to Empires. 

Ambassador. 

God forbid! 
We've toil enough to guard our heritage 
In Tusculum. 

Amulius. 

A jewel rich and old 
Borne on the bosom of a jocund hill. 

Ambassador. 

We've nothing like your sea of purple wine, 
Yon agate cup of blood, the Alban Lake. 
The crater looks as black as precious bronze 
With Alba Longa whitening on the brim 
Like coral reefs in cloudland. 
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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

King Amulius. 

Prince, well said! 
However merited. Pardon, sir, this day 
By the Alban calendar I sit as Judge, 
And many duties hold me in their clutch 



Ambassador. 

Of course. Yet stay,— the calendar,— one word,— 
[Pulls from his belt a tiny ivory tablet which 

is attached to a gold chain about his 

neck.] 
— You see I've method 

[Showing calendar.] 
Kjn, /\n I 1 iiose two j^oung savages 
That killed our men. His Majesty was urgent. 

King Amulius. 

So am I. 
He shall not find us slack. 
The air upon the terrace tastes of dawn: 
Enjoy it while I see my officers. 
Believe me, sir, your business burns my list. 

[They bow; exit Ambassador. King rings 
bell. Enter Propraetor. King mo- 
tions with his head towards Numitor, 
but without turning round.] 

Who is this man ? 
Propraetor. 
It seems some suppliant. 

King. 

How came he in? 



Propraetor. 

I know not. On this day 
The suitors, clients, culprits and their friends- 
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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

King. 

Bid him begone. 

Propraetor. 

The law prohibits us. 
He sits within the sanctuaried orb 
Of Vesta's w^armth, and has observed its rite. 

King. 

I'll question him myself. 

[After a pause, to Propraetor.] 
What prisoners? 

Propraetor. 

Aulus, the murderer; old Pertinax 
That railed upon the priest; one hunchback thief; 
And two young demons from the Tiber's bed, 
With reedy hair, brown necks and bloodshot eyes 
That terrify the guards. The prison quaked 
And bolts were shaken from the Etruscan cave 
As they were thrust within. 

King. 

You were up all night. 
A cup of wine will cure these earthquakes, Sir. 
The lads are marked marauders, and have slain 
King Gor's retainers. Be accountable 
That no phantasmas or religious dreams 
Appear which let them loose. 

[Gesture as of turn'mg a key. 
Propraetor. 
I shall, your Majesty. 

Exit Propraetor 
King. 

And yet it's strange. I heard a rattling too. 
Waked in the night, saw lightnings in the air. 

[Observes NuMiTOR.] 
This stranger urks me. I will study him. 

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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Why should I dread to question this recluse 
Who sits like ashes b}^ our homely blaze? 
Enter QuEEN 

lAside.l 
Terror in her face too. My loving Queen — 
You've seen a ghost? 'Tis early morning now; 
Let us be calm, let us be sensible; 
Say what we say without the qualms of night. 
Daylight is daylight. Come, my love, be calm. 

Queen. 

The sacred serpent doth refuse her food; 
But raising her green head to hiss at me 
Coils in a stupor. Next, our haruspex 
Was probing in the entrails of his fowls, 
When three strong eagles steering from the north 
Rose over rapid Tiber like a cloud, — 
Winging their way like Gorgons — swooped on him, 
And ate the birds of omen. 

King. 

Is this all? 
Queen. 
Alba is doomed! 

King. 

Hush, the Ambassador 
Is on the terrace! 

Queen. 

[Pointing to Numitor.] 

What odd ghost is this 
Who sits like Charon on the dismal shore? 

King. 

Some miscreant outlaw, a hearth suppliant. 
He waits my leisure. Peace, I'll speak to him. 

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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Queen. 

Husband, it is a spectre! Never let him 

Turn his dead eyes on thee! 

King. 

My gentle wife, 
He is a harmless beggar. [Aside.] Yet I tremble — 
So quick to catch is fear. 

[The Queen clings to Amulius.] 
Stranger, who art thou? 

[NuMiTOR turns stiffly, remaining at the 
hearth, falls on his knees, holding his 
face downwards and raises his hands. 
Queen screams and falls unconscious. 
Enter hurriedly the Ambassador, Cap- 
tain, Propraetor and servants. 

Ambassador. 

What is the matter. Sirs? 

King. 

Nothing, dear friend, 
The Queen is out of sorts: some auguries: 
A flight of birds, and our great serpent's illness. 
The trifles of a day. I have your men 
And in the scales of Zeus shall weigh their crimes 
While Alba stands. [To servants.^ Attend her 

Majesty, 
And bring me word anon. Men, to your posts! 

[The King assumes his mace as Justicer. 
servant hands mace. 
Ambassador. 
One million pardons! I must have your ear. 

King. 

What, now? 

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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Ambassador. 

One moment, Sire. 
A letter from my King, seven times delayed 
And marked: "The haste that kills," 
Was given me on the terrace. Here it is. 

King. 

For me? What Kings have written Kings must read. 
[Takes the paper and reads:] 
Brother in Bond-of-Love, Amulius: 
Read this alone. — I have certain knowledge that 
your brother, Numitor, lives, and likely understand- 
ing that he seeks to regain his throne. My news, 
which comes from the south, is that he marches with 
Samnite cohorts against your citadel. 
Protect thyself. 

GOR OF TUSCULUM. 

[To an officer.] 
Captain, send every soldier to his post. 

[To Propraetor.] 
Shut be our gates, while on the battlements 
The trumpets sound a siege. The water gates 
Be duly guarded. Man the arbalests: 
Pluck out the crouching augurs from their cells; 
The riddle's solved. Now let religion shake 
Old women into tremors; we are men. 

[To the Ambassador.] 
Your King has saved us. I will judge these men 
In courtesy towards his most kingly zeal. 
Then to the war! Bring forth the prisoners. 
The King ascends his throne! 

[King takes his place on the throne. The 
Captain brings in Romulus and 
Remus. Enter also two peasants from 
Tusculum, namely, Aufidius and 
Flaccus^ two rough-looking high- 
waymen.] 

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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Captain, prefer your charge. 

Captain. 

These men are apprehended at the suit of the King 
of Tusculum on the charge of crossing his borders 
and of killing his peaceful subjects. 

King. 

Where are the witnesses? 

[Captain pushes forward Aufidius and 
Flaccus.] 

[Aside to Ambassador.] 
My villains outrank yours in sheer good looks. 

[To Romulus.] 
What are your names? Whence come ye? 

Romulus. 

We are named 
I Romulus, he Remus ; we are bred 
To peasant Industry and mountain sport, — 
Woodcraft of spear and line, — our flocks were 

spread 
By winding Tiber, till your cattle thieves 
Drove them toward Tusculum. 

King 

No more of that! 
Let the accusers speak. 

Aufidius. 

Seven of our men 
Returning from a Fair at Ostia, 
Driving their cattle lawfully along, 
Were set upon by these two miscreants, — 
The last of many onslaughts on our trade, — 
And done to death. 

[The Queen has taken her place by the 
King's elbow. 



ROMULUS AND REMUS 

King. 

Ye shall have justice, justice. 

Captain, immure these peasants in the Quarry 

And have them slain at sundown. 

Queen. [Aside to the King.] 

O my Lord 
Look what you do. The striplings are no carles: 
They wear their rags with royal dignity. 
Mark them, my Lord. 

Romulus. 

So this is Alban justice! 
Rendered by whom? A robber, cut-throat King 
That cast his rightful-titled brother out. 
Usurping King, thou dar'st not strangle us! 
A god protects us, who it is I know not: 
But some potential lightning from on high 
Will smite thee soon. Thy brother, Numitor, 
Knocks at the Sabine gate. 

[Numitor rises.] 
King. 
Remove them, guard. 

Queen. 

Husband, reverse thy word, 
Dost thou remember Rhea Sylvia? 
Her eyes are copied in that stripling's look. 
The other is an image of you all, — 
A royal gallery. Forbear, my lord. 
Lest through some juggling infamy of Fate 
You kill your flesh and blood. 
The serpent's sickness — the Tiberian eagles — 
And something more, — See there! 

[Pointing to Numitor, who is standing in 
an attitude of accusing majestyj holding 

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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

his staff like a sceptre. His cape, as he 
throws it back from his head, shows a 
purple lining. 

King. [To Numitor.] 

How came you in ? The city gates are closed. 

NUMITOK. 

Yet Jove walks through them. 

King. 

Can a phantom speak? 
'Tis terror plants this spectre in mine eye. 
I'll not be scared. Unreal and shallow ghosts 
Through whom the daylight passes haunt our minds, 
Rise in our path, enact forgotten scenes, 
And tinge some word or trivial accident 
With the unknown. 

Queen. 

Why do you mutter thus 
And knit your brows? Husband, it is the beggar. 

King. [To Numitor.] 

Beggar or King, who art thou? 

Numitor. 

Numitor! 
Thy banished brother, Alba's rightful Lord. 
'Tis twenty years since the December night 
When thou didst cause my palace to be burned, 
Me banished, and my daughter, Rhea Sylvia, 
The Vestal Virgin, to be close immuned 
And buried from the light. My child was lost. 
Never since then have I had sight of her 
Though searching all the crannies of the world. 
Speak, falling tyrant, what befell the maid ? 

[Enter at the back Faustulus and AcCA.] 
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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

For never shall this body know repose 
Till I have found my Rhea Sylvia. 

Faustulus and Acca. [Chanting.] 
Guardian of the Sacred Flame, 
Rhea Sylvia is her name. 
Daughter of an Alban King 
From whom the Roman state shall spring. 

NUMITOR. 

How hit these chanters on my daughter's fate? 
Who art thou, little mother? Are ye priests 
Or servants to some rustic deit>' 
Whose ditties hymn the name that I have lost? 

Acca. 

We are two peasants visited of Mars 
Who gave us noble boys for foster sons. 
Mooring his offspring by the Tiber's ebb, 
And nursing them with his divine she-wolf 
Till Faustulus and Acca took them in. 
Here are their proofs of royal ancestry 
WTiich, like the lads themselves, are kingly gems 
Worn for too long upon a peasant's breast. 

[She shoivs the child's garments and 
trinkets. 
Romulus. 
Mother, I need no nobler blood than thou. 

Remus. 
Mother, nor I. 

NUMITOR. 

Behold the pearls that on my Rhea's brow 
Reflected Vesta's flame. The goddess now 
Returns the scattered jewels to the crown, 
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ROMULUS AND REMUS 

Steeping our royal house in new renown. 
Strange things are brought to light; our darkest 

aim 
Time hallows in its sacrificial flame 
And Jove subdues us. 

[To Amulius.] 
Brother, stretch thy hand! 
These twain, 

[Pointing to RoMULUs, and Remus.] 
Not you nor I, shall rule the land. 
King. 

I do submit; the plan that Jove contrives 
Glows visibly around our linked lives. 
Half of great mysteries I darkly see; 
Time, thought and peace shall show the rest to 
me. 

P'austulus. 

I saw bright-hammered Mars 

Bend o'er their cradle: now I hear his step, 

As when he breaks the ranks of serried war. 

[Enter Mars. All fall on their knees excel 
Ace A and Faustulus. 
Mars. 

Parents of Rome, Acca and Faustulus, 
Out of whose cabin flows the Latin stream 
That laves the later nations of the world, — 
Mars with the stubborn hand of war doth write 
Your lowly names on Rome's great title-page. 
Live with his sons in memory! Martial Rome, 
The hope, the fate, the splendor of the world 
Begins to-morrow, when my Romulus 
Choosing a spot beside the Tiber's reeds. 
Shall turn the furrow with his shining plow. 

curtain 

THE END 
92 



